Freddy Sanchez
Freddy Sanchez | |
---|---|
Hollywood, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
September 10, 2002, for the Boston Red Sox | |
Last MLB appearance | |
June 10, 2011, for the San Francisco Giants | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .297 |
Home runs | 48 |
Runs batted in | 371 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
|
Frederick Phillip Sanchez Jr. (born December 21, 1977) is an American former professional baseball second baseman. Sanchez played in Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox (2002–2003), Pittsburgh Pirates (2004–2009) and San Francisco Giants (2009–2011). He batted and threw right-handed.
Born with a severely
Sanchez made his major league debut with the Red Sox in 2002 and played a few games with them in 2003 before getting traded to the Pirates. He suffered an injury in his first game with the Pirates'
Expected to help the Giants contend for the playoffs in the latter part of 2009, Sanchez spent much of his time with them injured. He missed the start of the 2010 season with a shoulder injury but became a key part of their infield as their starting second baseman after making his season debut on May 19. He batted .292 as San Francisco won the
Early life
Frederick Phillip Sanchez Jr. was born to Freddy Sr. and Michelle at
In 1996, Sanchez graduated from Burbank High School, where he was a three-year varsity player.[3] In his senior year he was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Foothill League of the California Interscholastic Federation.[4] While in high school, he played on a summer league team with Jack Wilson, who would eventually be his teammate in the major leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates.[1] His senior year, he was the No. 3 prospect in his region.[3] He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 30th round of the 1996 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft out of Burbank High but opted to attend college instead. "They told me they were going to do a draft-and-watch," Sanchez said of the Braves, "So I didn't even have the choice of being signed."[5]
Initially, Sanchez planned to attend
Career
Boston Red Sox: Major league debut
In the 2000 season, Sanchez split the year between the
Sanchez split the majority of the 2002 season between Trenton and the
In 2003, Sanchez started the year with Pawtucket. He led the International League in batting with a .384 average before getting promoted by Boston on May 30. With Boston, his average was just .235 in 20 games. Demoted to Pawtucket at the end of July, he batted .208 before July 31, the 2003 trade deadline. On that day, Sanchez was dealt (along with left-handed pitcher Mike Gonzalez) to the Pittsburgh Pirates in return for pitchers Jeff Suppan, Brandon Lyon and Anastacio Martínez.[11][12]
Pittsburgh Pirates: Batting title, All-Star
2003–04
Upon acquiring Sanchez, the Pirates assigned him to the Triple-A
2005
2005 was Sanchez's first full season in the major leagues. He began the season as a backup infielder, filling in for other players at second base, shortstop, and
2006
Sanchez began the 2006 season as a bench player, valuable to the Pirates for his ability to play multiple positions. When third baseman Joe Randa went on the disabled list with a foot injury at the beginning of May, Sanchez took over the position, becoming a starter for the rest of the year.[6][18] On June 29, he had four hits, including a walk-off home run against Cliff Politte as Pittsburgh snapped a 13-game losing streak, defeating the Chicago White Sox 7–6.[19] Three hits the day before gave him seven in a two-day span, and the 29th was the last day of a 13-game hitting streak for Sanchez.[20]
Not on the 2006 All-Star ballot because he was a bench player to start the season, Sanchez still received over 850,000 write-in votes for the All-Star Game, an MLB record.[21] He finished fifth in the voting to David Wright, who was the National League (NL) starter at third base, but Sanchez still made the NL All-Star squad as a reserve selected by NL manager Phil Garner.[21][22] In pregame introductions, Sanchez and teammate Jason Bay received an ovation from the fans, as the game was played at their home stadium, PNC Park. Sanchez entered the game in the fifth inning at shortstop, replacing Édgar Rentería. He made a stellar leaping catch in the fifth inning to rob Mark Loretta of a hit, then also darted far to the right of second base in the eighth inning to complete a putout of Grady Sizemore. Sanchez finished the game at second base and went 0 for 2 at the plate with two groundouts.[3][23][24] On August 31, he had four RBI, including an 11th-inning RBI against Ryan Dempster that capped Pittsburgh's three-run comeback in a 10–9 victory over the Cubs.[25] Sanchez was the final out on September 24 when Trevor Hoffman of the San Diego Padres set what was at the time the major league record for saves with his 479th.[26]
The 2006 season was the best of Sanchez's career.
2007
In 2007, Sanchez was moved to second base, replacing Castillo so that José Bautista could be the Pirates third baseman.[29] A knee injury caused him to miss much of spring training and the beginning of the regular season, as Sanchez did not make his first appearance until the sixth game of the season.[1][28][30] For the second year in a row, Sanchez was named to the NL All-Star team as a reserve, selected by Tony La Russa. This time, he was the only Pirate All-Star.[31] On August 11, he had four hits and five RBI, including a home run against Tim Lincecum in a 13–3 victory over the San Francisco Giants.[32] Against the Colorado Rockies on August 22, he had his fourth four-hit game of the season and hit a home run against Ramón Ortiz as the Pirates won 11–2.[33] He had five RBI in the first game of a doubleheader on August 28, including a grand slam against Elizardo Ramírez as the Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds by a score of 6–4.[34] Sanchez also missed Pittsburgh's final five games of the year, undergoing surgery to repair a separated shoulder, an injury he had played through for much of the season.[28] He finished the season with a .304 batting average and a career-high 11 home runs.[7]
2008
On February 5, the Pirates and Sanchez agreed to a two-year deal, with an option for 2010. The contract paid Sanchez $11 million guaranteed but had the potential to be as high as $18.4 million.[35] On May 4, he had three hits and scored two runs in a 5–4 victory over the Giants.[36] Batting .230 entering the Pirates' game on July 21, Sanchez hoped for improved performance in the remainder of the year. On July 21, he hit a three-run inside-the-park home run against Tim Byrdak as the Pirates defeated the Houston Astros 9–3.[37] The next day, he had three hits and two RBI, including a solo home run against Jack Cassel as the Pirates defeated the Astros 8–2.[38] On September 6, he had a season-high four hits, two runs scored, and two RBI, but the effort came in a 7–6 loss to the Giants.[39] By batting .347 in his final 54 games (starting July 21), Sanchez raised his season average to .271 by the end of the year.[39] He also hit nine home runs and had 52 RBI in 2008.[7]
2009
Almost rested for a game on May 25, 2009, Sanchez had six hits as the Pirates defeated the Cubs 10–8, the first six-hit game by a Pirate since Wally Backman had one in 1990.[40] He had two hits on June 13, including a grand slam against Nate Robertson as the Pirates defeated the Detroit Tigers by a score of 9–3.[41] Eight days later, he had a home run and three RBI, but the Pirates lost 5–4 to Colorado.[42]
Selected to the
San Francisco Giants: World Series champion
2009
On August 26, Sanchez was placed on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to August 18) due to a strained left shoulder. "It's just one of those deals, I apologize to the fans and to the organization and my teammates and everybody," Sanchez said, as the Giants were hoping he would help them contend for the playoffs. "I got traded here for a reason and that was to play. For me not to be out there hurts."
On October 30, Sanchez signed a two-year, $12 million contract to remain with the Giants.[49][50] He had surgery on his left knee after the 2009 season, as well as arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder.[50]
2010: World Series champion
Sanchez was a key member of the Giants' infield in 2010.[50] Because of his shoulder surgery, his season debut was postponed to May 19, but he served as the Giants' everyday second baseman for the rest of the year.[50][51] On June 20, he hit a three-run home run against Brian Tallet in a 9–6 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.[52] On August 23 and 24, he had back-to-back four hit games in victories over the Reds.[51] He also had four hits on September 23 in a 13–0 victory over the Chicago Cubs.[53] Three days later, he hit a two-run home run against Jorge de la Rosa as the Giants defeated the Rockies by a score of 4–2.[54] Sanchez finished the season batting .292 with seven home runs and 47 RBI as the San Francisco Giants won the NL West, reaching the playoffs for the team's first time since 2003 and Sanchez's first time ever.[50]
In the 2010 National League Division Series against the Braves, Sanchez batted .125 but scored two runs.[55] In Game 3, Sanchez batted in the ninth inning with two outs and the Giants down 2–1. Craig Kimbrel got two strikes on him, but Sanchez hit a single, then later scored the tying run as the Giants came back to win the game 3–2 that inning.[1] The Giants defeated Atlanta in four games.[55] He batted .320 in the 2010 National League Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, with three multi-hit games as the Giants beat the Phillies in six games.[55] In Game 1 of the 2010 World Series against the Texas Rangers, he became the first player in history to collect three doubles in his first three World Series at-bats during the Giants' 11–7 victory over the Rangers.[50][56] "I think it’s crazy to have my name up there with all the guys that have played in the World Series that have done that before," he said. "Obviously for no one to have done that yet, I think it’s something special. For just a little guy like me to go out there and be able to do it. But getting the win was the most important thing, but that’s something special and something I can enjoy along with the win."[57] Sanchez had four hits total in that game, and he had two more in the Series.[55] In Game 4, he made a leaping catch of a line drive off the bat of Jeff Francoeur with two outs in the second inning, falling on his back but hanging onto the ball.[1] The Giants won that game 4–0, then won the series in five games, earning their first World Series title since 1954.[55][58]
Bothered by his left shoulder late in the year, Sanchez had a second surgery on it following the 2010 season. Dave Groeschner, the Giants' trainer, explained that the surgery severed Sanchez's biceps tendon, cleaning up the back of the second baseman's shoulder.[50]
2011
On April 1, the Giants extended Sanchez's contract an additional year for $6 million in 2012.[50] The next day, he had three hits, three RBI, and a home run against Lance Cormier in a 10–0 victory over the Dodgers.[59] With the Giants trailing the Diamondbacks 3–2 in the sixth inning on April 16, Sanchez had an RBI double to drive in the tying run, then had a two-RBI single in the seventh to put the Giants ahead as they won 5–3.[60] Sanchez hit a home run against Maikel Cleto on June 2, driving in four runs total as the Giants beat the St. Louis Cardinals 12–7.[61] On June 10, Sanchez dislocated his shoulder diving for a ground ball by Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips.[62] He was placed on the disabled list, and on August 1, it was announced that Sanchez would have season-ending surgery the next day.[63] Sanchez batted .289 with three home runs and 24 RBI in 60 games in what would be his final major league season.[7]
2012, retirement
Sanchez started the year on the disabled list. He attempted to return to the Giants, playing three games for the Single-A Advanced San Jose Giants on a rehab assignment.[9] However, on July 4, Sanchez underwent back surgery which kept him out for the rest of the season.[64] Unsigned after the 2012 season, Sanchez considered a comeback attempt. Finally, he officially retired on December 21, 2015, his 38th birthday.[9][27]
Career statistics
Years | Games | PA
|
AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR
|
RBI
|
BB | SO
|
AVG | OBP | SLG | FLD% |
10 | 904 | 3686 | 3402 | 434 | 1012 | 215 | 17 | 48 | 371 | 180 | 420 | .297 | .335 | .413 | .988 |
Sanchez played 646 games at second base, 172 games at third base and 55 games at shortstop.[7]
Personal life
Sanchez married his high school sweetheart, Alissa Dowdy, in 2002.[1][27] An actress, she had made appearances in The Nanny and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.[1] They have two sons, born 2005 and 2008.[1][27] During his playing career, he used a webcam to keep in touch with his children while on road trips.[3]
Sanchez has been good friends with Jack Wilson since the two played together in a travel league.[44] When Sanchez was called up by Pittsburgh in September 2004, Wilson let him and his wife stay at his house. Sanchez said Wilson "is like a brother to me."[1] Since his retirement, he and his family have resided in Chandler, Arizona.[27]
Burbank High School, Glendale Community College, and Oklahoma City University have all inducted Sanchez into their Halls of Fame.[5] Additionally, Burbank High School retired Sanchez's number 21.[1]
See also
- List of Major League Baseball batting champions
- List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders
- List of Major League Baseball single-game hits leaders
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Bogovich, Rich. "Freddy Sanchez". SABR. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ a b "Sanchez wins Tony C Award for overcoming adversity". ESPN. Associated Press. December 6, 2006. Retrieved December 9, 2006.
- ^ a b c d e Krise, Todd (June 13, 2008). "Sanchez's dad is his No. 1 fan". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2011.
- ^ "Burbank High Athletic Hall of Fame 2008" (PDF). Burbank High School. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Tully, Jeff (October 7, 2015). "Freddy Sanchez humbled to be honored by Glendale College HOF". The Glendale News Press. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ a b c Tortorelli, Rich. "Swingin' like a Star: The rise of Freddy Sanchez" (PDF). Focus: The Magazine of Oklahoma City University. Vol. 50, no. 1. pp. 8–10. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Freddy Sanchez Stats". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ Scoggins, Chad; Langlois, Chad (March 3, 2013). "Age, injuries may have finally caught up to Freddy Sanchez". Sentinel & Enterprise. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e "Freddy Sanchez Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ "Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Devil Rays Box Score, September 10, 2002". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ Wilbur, Eric (July 31, 2003). "Sox trade Sanchez for pitcher Suppan". Boston.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2003. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
- ^ Tully, Jeff (August 1, 2003). "Pirates obtain Sanchez in trade". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Freddy Sanchez 2005 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ "Ty Wigginton 2005 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ "Jose Castillo 2005 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ "Mulder wins third start vs. Bucs this season". ESPN. August 22, 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ "Pirates played game under protest with explanation". ESPN. July 3, 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ "Chacon has competition for No. 5 spot on Pirates". The Greeley Tribune. February 1, 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ "Sanchez's walk-off HR ends Pirates' losing streak". ESPN. June 29, 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ "Freddy Sanchez 2006 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ a b McCarron, Anthony (July 12, 2014). "Steve Garvey's All-Star story in 1974 writes itself as Dodgers great won spot thanks to write-in votes then took MVP honors". The New York Daily News. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ "All-Star Game: Pirates' Bay to start for National League; Sanchez named as reserve". New Castle News. July 3, 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ Eagle, Ed (July 11, 2006). "Young rallies AL to victory". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ "2006 All-Star Game Box Score, July 11". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ a b c Meyer, Paul (August 31, 2006). "Sanchez delivers happy ending: Batting leader's storybook season continues in Pirates' 10-9, extra-inning win vs. Cubs". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ Sullivan, Tim (September 25, 2006). "King of the hill". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f Crasnick, Jerry (21 December 2015). "Freddy Sanchez, former NL batting champion, officially retires". ESPN. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
- ^ a b c "Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez to have shoulder surgery". ESPN. September 27, 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Baseball Notebook: Pirates bench Castillo". The Seattle Post-Intelligencer. March 23, 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Freddy Sanchez 2007 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "2007 All-Star Game". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Sanchez homers, drives in career-high five to pound Giants". ESPN. August 11, 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "McLouth blasts two of Pirates' six homers vs. Rockies". ESPN. August 22, 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Sanchez, Pirates end Reds' six-game win streak". ESPN. August 28, 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Pirates Sign Sanchez". The New York Times. February 6, 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "LaRoche's go-ahead single lifts Pirates to sweep of Giants". ESPN. May 8, 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Sanchez sparks Pirates' seven-run ninth-inning rally vs. Astros". ESPN. July 22, 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Maholm goes eight strong, Sanchez homers again as Pirates roll Astros". ESPN. July 22, 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ a b "Freddy Sanchez 2008 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Sanchez, Pirates send Cubs to 8th straight loss". ESPN. May 25, 2009. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ "Sanchez's grand slam helps Duke to 4th win in last 5 decisions". ESPN. June 13, 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Barmes homers as Rockies finish off sweep of Pirates". ESPN. June 21, 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ Gordon, Grant (July 16, 2009). "Sanchez snubbed in All-Star Game". La Canada Valley Sun. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ a b Langosch, Jenifer (July 20, 2009). "Sanchez, Wilson open to staying with Bucs". MLB.com. Archived from the original on January 12, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2009.
- ^ Schulman, Henry (July 29, 2009). "Update: Giants acquire Freddy Sanchez for Tim Alderson". The San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ "Infielder Sanchez on disabled list". ESPN. Associated Press. August 26, 2009. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ "Freddy Sanchez 2009 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Giants win but Rockies victory dooms San Francisco". ESPN. October 1, 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ Haft, Chris (October 30, 2009). "Sanchez signs two-year contract". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Freddy Sanchez gets new 2012 deal". ESPN. April 1, 2011. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
- ^ a b "Freddy Sanchez 2010 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ "Burrell, Sanchez homer as Giants break through in Toronto". ESPN. June 20, 2006. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs Box Score, September 23, 2010". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Matt Cain loses bid for no-hitter in 8th, hangs on to win". ESPN. September 26, 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e "Freddy Sanchez Postseason Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ Haft, Chris. "Ten-gallon splat: SF knocks Texas off a Cliff". MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2016.
- ^ Benjamin, Amalie (October 28, 2010). "Sanchez thrilled at his 'triple-double'". Boston.com. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ Haft, Chris (November 2, 2010). "Giants win the Series! Giants win the Series!". San Francisco Giants. MLB. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
- ^ "Aubrey Huff, Freddy Sanchez combine for six RBIs as Giants drub Dodgers". ESPN. April 2, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Barry Zito hurt, but Freddy Sanchez lifts Giants over D-backs for fourth straight win". ESPN. April 16, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Aubrey Huff's three home runs spark Giants". ESPN. June 2, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Nate Schierholtz comes through for Giants; Freddy Sanchez injured". ESPN. June 11, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ Shea, John (August 1, 2011). "Barry Zito to the DL and Freddy Sanchez's season-ending surgery". SF Gate. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ Pouliot, Matthew (July 5, 2012). "Freddy Sanchez opts for back surgery, out for season". NBC Sports. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)